Plough beam with spring mechanism

ABSTRACT

A plough beam having a spring mechanism which permits, lateral sidewise motions in addition to motions up and down when encountering an obstacle.

United States Patent [191 Nj Feb. 5, 1974 PLOUGH BEAM WITH SPRINGMECHANISM [56] Referenees Cited [75] Inventor: Olav Njfi, Kvemaland,Norway UNITED STATES PATENTS [73] Assignee: Kvernelands Fabrikk A/S,2,828,678 4/1958 Sokolik 172/709 X Kvemeland Norway GOdbCI$l1 3,517,7486/1970 Fischer 172/705 X [22] Filed: May 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:254,964 Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Pierce, Scheffler & Parker [30] Foreign Application Priority DataFeb. 1, 1972 Norway 250/72 [57] ABSTRACT A plough beam having a springmechanism which per- Cl 72/7l1 mits, lateral sidewise motions inaddition to motions [51] Int. Cl AOlb 35/24 up d down when enccunteringan obstacle. [58] Field of Search... 172/705, 261, 264, 706, 707,

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEB FEB 5 i974 SHEET 2 [1F 4 PLOUGIIBEAM WITH SPRING MECHANISM The present invention relates to a ploughbeam with spring mechanism which permits the plough to swing upwardlywhen striking an obstacle in its path.

Ploughs having spring mechanisms which give way when the plough strikesan obstacle in its path are to be found in many different embodimentswhich must be considered satisfactory when the instruments and tractorsused are relatively light-weight.

However, a number of problems arise when the implements are above acertain size since it is not then sufficient that a plough springsupwardly when striking an obstacle. If the said obstacle is of such atype that the plough naturally attempts to pass the side in order toavoid the obstacle, a heavy tractor and rigid construction will yieldvery little in lateral direction, and the plough will be subjected togreat strain in that direction if, in fact, it is capable of passing theobstacle by moving to one side. These strains increase further when theimplement is provided with a plurality of ploughs arranged side byside,'since a plough striking an obstacle, which it were able to pass bya movement to one side, is not capable of guiding the other ploughs but,on the contrary, is guided by these during their passage through thesoil. It has proved in many cases that inherent resiliency which isalways present in a plough and plough beam is not sufficient for thenecessary movements, and the result has been an unreasonably great waterand tear on the ploughs and great strain on the plough beams, possiblywith expensive damage.

The object of the present invention is thus primarily to provide aconstruction of a plough and plough beam such that the plough unhinderedby adjacent ploughs and unhindered by a rigid construction can followthe proper path through the soil by being able to avoid obstacles in anydirection whatsoever without incurring strains for which the ploughconstruction is not adapted, and the suspension of the plough beamshall, moreover, be such that the plough after passing the obstaclereverts to working position and does not remain in raised inactiveposition as is the case with several known plough embodiments.

ln accordance with the invention, this is achieved in that the ploughbeam is provided with a linkage which permits movement of the plough inlateral direction and the plough can also be raised and lowered in knownmanner, whereby the plough can avoid obstacles in any direction.

The linkage is comprised of two members where one member is disposed,for example, on the three point suspension of a tractor or in animplement frame where this supports several ploughs, and the two membersare maintained in contact by a spring mechanism which is sufficientlytight that the members are in complete contact when the plough worksnormally in good soil. When the plough strikes an obstacle, it willattempt to swing upwardly or to one side or in an oblique direction, andthis movement causes the members of the linkage to swing away from eachother with a corresponding increase of the tightness in the springmechanismQAfter passing the obstacle, the spring mechanism will pull thetwo members of the linkage together, whereby the plough beam and ploughare returned to correct working position.

In accordance with the invention, the linkage is further effected sothat it has two predetermined pivotal axes so that the plough beampivots about a horizontal axis when the plough must be raised in orderto pass an obstacle, and pivots about a vertical axis when it is toswing to the side of an obstacle. Combinations of movements about thesetwo axes permit movements of the plough in any direction whatsoever inorder to avoid obstacles. By the phrase any direction whatsoever ismeant any lifting of the plough in the vertical plane combined with anyswinging of the plough to one side in the horizontal plane withresulting movements in direction more or less upwardly inclined to oneor other side.

With tubular plough beams, there is the further advantage that the samespring mechanism may be used either on one-way ploughs or two'wayploughs, that is to say a plough with two plough shares and mould boardswhich are adapted to turn to the right or left respectively. The ploughbodies are then disposed diametrically above one another about an axisof rotation for the plough beam. On a two-way plough, the righthand andleft-hand plough will then be released by the same resistance, thespring mechanism and distance from the point of the plough to thepivotal axes being equal.

The invention thus relates to a plough beam which permits the plough toswing upwardly when striking an obstacle in its path, and it issubstantially characterized in that the plough beam has a linkage whichpermits movement of the plough also in lateral direction and otherdirections which lie between movement in horizontal and vertical plane.

A further feature of the invention is that the linkage comprises twomembers which are maintained in contact by means of the springmechanism, the said links being adapted to tip relatively, and it isalso to advantage that one member of the linkage is provided with fourballs which are disposed in each corner of an imaginary square, thesecond member of the linkage having recesses adapted to the balls, thesaid balls and recesses forming bearings for relative pivoting of themembers.

A suitable embodiment is characterized in that the plough beam whichprojects from one part of the linkage is in the form of a tube having arod for connection with the spring mechanism disposed therewithin.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the rod isconnected to one member of the linkage and extends through the tube and,at its free end, is connected to a side piece which forms securement forone end of a pair of leaf springs, the other ends of which are rigidlyconnected to the tube.

A second embodiment of the spring mechanism is characterized in that arigid rod which is connected to one member of the linkage extendsthrough the tube and is connected to a lever between the ends thereof,the said lever being connected at its ends with the tube and the end ofa spring respectively, and adjustment is possible in a simple manner inthat an intermediate piece is provided between the lever and the end ofthe spring, the said intermediate piece being pivotally connected to thelever and spring for contact wtih an adjustable abutment on the lever.If, for some reason, a rigid plough is required, the spring mechanismcan be left out, and the linkage is put out of action by means of arigid rod which forms the connection between one member of the linkageand the free ends of the tube.

Even with a substantially rigid embodiment, it may be advantageous toprovide a shock-absorbing body between the rod and the free ends of thetube, for example, resilient discs disposed between the end of the tubeand a nut on the rod.

When the two members of the linkage can move as freely relatively as thecase is when one member rests on four balls on the second member and, onmovements upwardly inclined to one or the other side, it rests andpivots on only one ball, it is important to be able to guide themovements of the plough beam so that, on return movement, bearing isachieved on all the balls and, in accordance with the invention, this isachieved in that a member of the linkage mounted on the tube isconnected to a guide adapted to prevent substantial rotation of theplough beam with the plough about the axis of the tube.

A suitable embodiment example of this guide is characterized in that themember of the linkage which is mounted to the tube has a straight endsurface and the second member of the linkage has a rigid surface whichis so closely adjacent the said end surface that this is guided andprevented from rotating to a substantial degree about the axis of thetube.

Other features and details of the invention will be clear from thefollowing description with reference to the drawing where:

FIG. 1 is a two-way plough or alternating plough viewed from the sideand effected in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is the same plough seen from above,

FIG. 3 illustrates, in greater dimension, how the linkage which permitsthe desired pivotal movement is constructed,

FIG. 4 shows the linkage viewed in perspective during a movement of theplough obliquely upwards to the right when regarding the implement frombehind,

FIG. 5 is a second embodiment example of the plough beam viewed fromabove and,

FIG. 6 is a single rigid plough viewed from the side.

On FIG. 1, two ploughs 1 and 2 are shown mounted on a common plough beam3. The plough beam is, with a linkage generally signified by 4,connected to a rotating mechanism for alternating ploughs or two-wayploughs, (not shown but known per se) and this turning mechanism ismounted on the hydraulic lifting means of the tractor. This mechanismensures that one or other of the ploughs l and 2 is in activity so thatthe plough furrow is turned to the same side whether the plough drivesin one or other direction over the soil. The plough beam 3 is providedwith a spring mechanism comprising a first set of spring mountings 5, 5(see FIG. 2) which are rigidly connected to the tube 3, a slide piece 6to a further spring mountings 7, 7, and between the spring mountings 5,5 and 7, 7, a pair of leaf springs 8, 8. Before the function of thespring mechanism is described in more detail, it is necessary to lookfurther at the'linkage 4 which is illustrated in detail on FIG. 3. Thelinkage has two main members 9 and 10 where member 9 in the shownembodiment example has four balls 11 which are placed in the corners ofa rectangle. The second member 10 has correspondingly placed recesses orhollows 12 which fit the balls 1 1 and, in resting position normalworking position, there is full contact between the balls 11 and therecesses 12 by reason of the spring mechanism which is now furtherexplained. From one member 9 of the linkage, a rigid rod 13 extendsrearwardly through the tubular plough beam 3, and the rod 13 isconnected to the slide piece 6 (FIG. 2). The force exerted by thesprings 8 maintains the two members 9 and 10 of the linkage in firmcontact with each other and thereby, also the plough in correct workingposition insofar as the resistance against the movement of the ploughthrough the soil is below a predetermined magnitude dependent on themechanical strength and shape of the plough. The spring force is,however, intended to allow movement of the plough 2 when this strikes anobstacle 14. When the said resistance value is exceeded, the leafsprings 8 will break out as illustrated in broken lines on FIG. 2, andin that the slide piece 6 and the rod 13 can then move in the tubularplough beam 3, the members 9 and 10 of the linkage 4 can move away fromeach other as illustrated in broken lines on FIG. 1, whereby the plough2 is raised in order to pass the obstacle 14 and pivots to one side asshown on FIG. 2, in order to pass the same obstacle 14. The movements upand down and to one side have been selected here as the outer limits ofthe movements and normally the movements will be results of greater orlesser components both in vertical direction and horizontal direction,and all such movements are permitted by the linkage in accordance withthe invention. In order to illustrate this further, a situation isillustrated in perspective on FIG. 4, which has led to the plough havingpivoted obliquely upward to the right on passing an obstacle. The spring8 has yielded here, and the plough pivots on the ball 11 which ispositioned at the top to the right-hand side on the member 9, the member10 being free from the remaining three balls 11.

In order to ensure that the members 9 and 10 of the spring 8 are broughtcorrectly together after pivoting of the plough upwardly and to theside, that is to say that the balls 11 and recesses 12 are again broughttogether, it may be necessary to provide a guide which ensures this and,on FIG. 5, such a guide is illustrated in the form of a stationarybracket 15 along which the edge 16 (FIG. 4) of the member 10 is adaptedto slide so that balls and recesses are brought correctly together whenthe plough, after passing the obstacle, pivots back to working position.

On FIGS. 1 and 2, a spring mechanism having two springs 8 is described,however, an embodiment having one spring 17 can well be envisaged asillustrated on FIG. 5. The rod 13 is connected here to a lever 18 which,at one end, is pivotally mounted to the tube 3 in the point 19. Thelever 18 is further, at a point 20, pivotally connected to anintermediate piece 21 which, at its free end 22, forms a mounting forone end of the spring 17 the other end of which is mounted in a bracket23. The intermediate piece 21 bears against an abutment 24, which isadjustable in that a bolt 25 can be screwed out of or into a threadedbushing 26. On adjustment' of the bolt 25 and thereby the abutment 24for the intermediate piece 21, the spring 17 can be tightened to agreater or lesser degree and, in this manner, is regulated to apredetermined force which is to be exceeded when the plough must pivotover an obstacle in one or other direction.

The fact that the plough beam 3 is tubular and that the linkage 4 isheld together by a rod 13 makes it possible in a simple manner toconvert the plough to a rigid plough as illustrated on FIG. 6, whenthere is no need for the plough to pivot or move. A certainshockabsorbing effect can be achieved however, by inserting a resilientelement, for example, in the form of spring discs as indicated at 27 onH6. 6. With a nut 28, the spring discs 27 are tightened to a sufficientdegree that, for all practical purposes, the linkage 4 can be regardedas a rigid, non-resilient linkage and only on very great strain do thespring discs 27 yield.

The embodiment examples illustrated serve merely to explain theinvention and form no limitation of the scope of protection of thispatent since other embodiment examples may well be envisaged which willbe within the scope of the invention; for example, in place of balls orsemi-spherical balls, other bearing means are used between the twomembers of the linkage and, furthermore, a different number of ballsthan four may be used. Further, the spring mechanisms which seek toguide the plough back to working position after passing an obstacle, canbe effected in suitable ways other than that illustrated herein, withoutbeing outside the scope of the invention thereby.

On the grounds of symmetrical construction of the linkage, the inventionis particularly suitable for alternating ploughs or two-way ploughswhere, on the same plough beam, two diametrically opposing ploughs areprovided, and furthermore the movement possibilities of the plough makepossible the use of the plough in multi-share ploughs, since movement ofone plough in one or other direction entailing increased strain onadjacent ploughs or the suspension of the plough or the tractor isavoided.

I claim:

1. A ploughing implement adapted to be drawn by a tractor have athree-point suspension lifting mechanism on which is supported arotating means for a ploughing implement, which ploughing implementcomprises a ploughing beam;

at least one plough suspended from said ploughing beam;

a two-member linkage one member of which is operatively connected withthe aforesaid suspension mechanism and the other member of which isoperatively connected with said ploughing beam;

one member of said linkage having mounted thereon four balls arranged ina square, and said other member having four recesses adapted to fit saidfour balls, said balls and recesses forming four bearing members for therelative pivoting of said linkage members; and

a spring means operatively connected with said linkage to urge said twomembers into contact with each other;

said linkage being pivotable about a horizontal axis when the ploughmust be raised to pass an obstacle and also pivotable about a verticalaxis for lateral movements of the plough.

2. The ploughing implement according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe plough beam projects from one member of the linkage and is in theform of a tube housing a rod for connection to the spring means lyingtherewithin.

3. The ploughing implement according to claim 2, characterized in thatsaid rod is connected to one member of the linkage and extends throughthe tube and, at its free end, is connected to a slide piece which formsattachment for one end of said spring means the other end of said springmeans being rigidly connected to the tube, said spring means comprisinga pair of leaf springs.

4. The ploughing implement according to claim 2, characterized in thatsaid rigid rod is connected to one member of the linkage extendingthrough the tube and is connected to a lever between the ends thereof,the said lever, at its ends, being connected to the tube and an end ofsaid spring means respectively.

5. The ploughing implement according to claim 4, characterized in thatbetween the lever and the end of the spring is provided an intermediatepiece which is pivotally connected to the lever and spring, for bearingagainst an adjustable abutment on the lever.

6. The ploughing implement according to claim 2, characterized by saidrod is disposed in the tube as a rigid connection between one member ofthe linkage and the end of the tube.

7. The ploughing implement according to claim 6, characterized in thatbetween the rod and the free end of the tube a shock-absorbing body isprovided, for example, in the form of spring discs, disposed between thefree end of the tube and a nut which is screwed onto the rod.

8. The ploughing implement according to claim 2, characterized in thatthe member of the linkage which is mounted on the tube is connected to aguide means preventing substantial rotation of the plough beam withplough about the axis of the tube.

9. The ploughing implement according to claim 8, characterized in thatthe member of the linkage which is mounted to the tube has a straightedge surface and a second member of the linkage has a rigid surfacewhich is so closely adjacent the said edge surface that it limits thesaid rotation.

1. A ploughing implement adapted to be drawn by a tractor have a three-pOint suspension lifting mechanism on which is supported a rotating means for a ploughing implement, which ploughing implement comprises a ploughing beam; at least one plough suspended from said ploughing beam; a two-member linkage one member of which is operatively connected with the aforesaid suspension mechanism and the other member of which is operatively connected with said ploughing beam; one member of said linkage having mounted thereon four balls arranged in a square, and said other member having four recesses adapted to fit said four balls, said balls and recesses forming four bearing members for the relative pivoting of said linkage members; and a spring means operatively connected with said linkage to urge said two members into contact with each other; said linkage being pivotable about a horizontal axis when the plough must be raised to pass an obstacle and also pivotable about a vertical axis for lateral movements of the plough.
 2. The ploughing implement according to claim 1, characterized in that the plough beam projects from one member of the linkage and is in the form of a tube housing a rod for connection to the spring means lying therewithin.
 3. The ploughing implement according to claim 2, characterized in that said rod is connected to one member of the linkage and extends through the tube and, at its free end, is connected to a slide piece which forms attachment for one end of said spring means the other end of said spring means being rigidly connected to the tube, said spring means comprising a pair of leaf springs.
 4. The ploughing implement according to claim 2, characterized in that said rigid rod is connected to one member of the linkage extending through the tube and is connected to a lever between the ends thereof, the said lever, at its ends, being connected to the tube and an end of said spring means respectively.
 5. The ploughing implement according to claim 4, characterized in that between the lever and the end of the spring is provided an intermediate piece which is pivotally connected to the lever and spring, for bearing against an adjustable abutment on the lever.
 6. The ploughing implement according to claim 2, characterized by said rod is disposed in the tube as a rigid connection between one member of the linkage and the end of the tube.
 7. The ploughing implement according to claim 6, characterized in that between the rod and the free end of the tube a shock-absorbing body is provided, for example, in the form of spring discs, disposed between the free end of the tube and a nut which is screwed onto the rod.
 8. The ploughing implement according to claim 2, characterized in that the member of the linkage which is mounted on the tube is connected to a guide means preventing substantial rotation of the plough beam with plough about the axis of the tube.
 9. The ploughing implement according to claim 8, characterized in that the member of the linkage which is mounted to the tube has a straight edge surface and a second member of the linkage has a rigid surface which is so closely adjacent the said edge surface that it limits the said rotation. 